Fashionforward Lioness continues to re-imagine style
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hen it comes to the intersection of music and fashion, Namibian rapper Lioness effortlessly commands attention with her bold and eclectic style. With a journey that began in high school and influenced by her fashion-savvy mother, Lioness has evolved into a fashion icon in her own right. Her unique style reflects her confidence, creativity and unapologetic embrace of self-expression. Lioness discovered her love for fashion during high school when she had the opportunity to dress up on civvies day. This was when she realised the transformative power of clothing and how it allowed her to express herself. Inspired by her late mother’s impeccable style, Lioness recognised the importance of looking good and making a lasting impression. She started playing around with different looks and over time took enough fashion risks to become one of Namibia’s best-dressed personalities. The best style tip Lioness received from her mother was to “never leave the house looking like your problems”. This meant avoiding house gowns and hair rollers while out and about. This advice helped Lioness to cultivate a fashion sense that exudes confidence and sophistication. Over the years, Lioness’ style has undergone a fascinating evolution. From a goth stage to a Barbie-inspired phase in her younger years, she experimented with various aesthetics before finding her signature style. Today, Lioness describes her style as sexy, chic, mysterious and sophisticated. Her fashion choices reflect her inner confidence and her desire to make a statement wherever she goes. INFLUENCING NAMIBIAN FASHION CULTURE When the perfectly styled music video for her 2017 breakout hit “Dreams” was released, it was evident that a cultural shift had occurred. The rapper capitalised on the song’s popularity by staying true to it and carefully crafting a public image that fit her newfound star status. By 2019, Lioness was confident enough as an emerging fashion influencer to work on her first fashion line, a collaboration with designer Simeone Johannes. “The CilQ x SynEDGY capsule collection,” Lioness said at the time of its release, “is meant to give women, men, trans and queer individuals a chance to feel sexy and luxurious at an affordable rate.”
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